Boyo Islands

This name includes the islands of Oshima District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the Kutsuna Islands in Ehime Prefecture, and is also known as the Boyo Islands, linking the two prefectures like stepping stones. The main islands are Oshima (Suo-Oshima or Yashirojima) in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Nasakejima, and Tsuwajijima, Futagamijima, Nuwajima, Nakajima, Muzukijima, Nogutsunajima, and Gogojima in Ehime Prefecture. Most of the islands are submerged islands made of granite and andesite, and although there is little flat land, the arable land rate is high and fruit cultivation is thriving. To the north of this archipelago are the Akinada Sea and the Itsuki Sea, and to the south is the Iyo Sea. Major shipping routes connect the islands through the Moroshima Strait, the Kudako Strait, and the Tsurushima Strait, and the surrounding areas are good fishing grounds for sardine boat seine fishing, octopus trap fishing, and single-line fishing. Awai on Nakajima is known for its shipping industry, and Komatsu on Oshima is home to the Oshima National College of Maritime Technology.

[Hajime Miura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

山口県大島郡の諸島と愛媛県の忽那(くつな)諸島を含む呼称で、両県を飛び石状に結び、防予島列ともいう。おもな島は、山口県の大島（周防(すおう)大島または屋代(やしろ)島）、情(なさけ)島、愛媛県の津和地(つわじ)島、二神(ふたがみ)島、怒和(ぬわ)島、中(なか)島、睦月(むづき)島、野忽那(のぐつな)島、興居(ごご)島などである。ほとんどが花崗(かこう)岩や安山岩からなる沈水島で、平地は少ないが、耕地率は高く、果樹栽培が盛ん。この島列の北は安芸灘(あきなだ)、斎(いつき)灘、南は伊予(いよ)灘で、島嶼(とうしょ)間の諸島(もろしま)水道、クダコ水道、釣島(つるしま)海峡は主要航路が通じ、付近はイワシ船引網やタコ壺(つぼ)、一本釣りなどの好漁場をなしている。中島の粟井(あわい)は海運業で知られ、大島の小松には大島商船高等専門学校がある。

［三浦　肇］

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